The sweat was pouring from Delonte West's face after Monday's practice at American Airlines Center.

These days, West is working overtime as he tries to recover from surgery to repair his fractured right ring finger. The Dallas Mavericks' guard suffered the injury during a Feb. 15 game against the Denver Nuggets.

For his part, West has targeted Thursday's game at Miami as the point when he hopes to finally return and give the Mavs some defensive tenacity.

"I'm trying to get back as quick as possible," West said. "I don't want you guys to think I'm trying to wait for 100 percent healing.